Objective To study the association between pulse wave velocity and conventional atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) as the parameters reflecting central elastic large arterial and peripheral muscular medium-sized arterial elasticity, respectively. Six hundred sixty four hypertensive patients aged 18-82 years (353 males and 311 females, mean age 52.1?12.8 years) were recruited. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, uric acid and cholesterol were measured. Results CFPWV and CRPWV significantly increased with the increase of the blood pressure level (both, P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible association between dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) TaqI A and TaqI B genotypes as well as smoking behavior and the risk of lung cancer among Chinese Han people.

METHODSPCR was used to perform genotyping on peripheral WBC DNA from 326 lung cancer patients and 326 age, sex and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Subjects were interviewed to obtain relevant information and lifetime history of tobacco use.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of DRD2 genotypes between lung cancer cases and controls. The DRD2 genotypes and smoking status showed no correlation among cases and among controls as well. However, among controls, the frequency of the DRD2 * A2/A2 genotype in smokers who smoked > or = 25 cigarettes/day appeared to be higher than that in those who smoked < 25 cigarettes/day (42.5% versus 26.1%, P = 0.047). A similar trend was also found for the DRD2 * B2/B2 genotype, which was linked to the DRD2 * A2/A2 genotype, although the difference was not significant (40.0% versus 26.1%, P = 0.091). In contrast to controls, no association was found between the DRD2 genotypes and smoking among lung cancer cases.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggested that DRD2 * A2/A2 genotype might be associated with a greater smoking intensity in Chinese. Further studies are needed to confirm this preliminary finding.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; genetics ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes of carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity in patients with essential hypertension, and effects of age and levels blood pressure levels on these changes.

METHODSAutomatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) as the parameters reflecting central elastic large arterial and peripheral muscular medium-sized arterial elasticity respectively. 517 hypertensive patients aged 17-82 years (272 males and 245 females, mean age 52.0 +/- 13.0 years) and 118 healthy subjects aged 19-82 years (52 males and 66 females, mean age 54.2 +/- 13.8 years) were recruited in the study.

RESULTSCFPWV increased with age in both groups (P < 0.001), whereas CRPWV did not change significantly. CFPWV and CRPWV both increased with blood pressure. A stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that age and systolic blood pressure were positively related to CFPWV independently, while diastolic blood pressure was significantly associated with CRPWV.

CONCLUSIONSAge and components of blood pressure exert different effects on elasticity of central elastic large artery and peripheral muscular medium-sized artery. Examining the change of large arterial elasticity has important clinical value in hypertensive patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Blood Pressure ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Elasticity ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; physiopathology ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulse ; Radial Artery ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the liver-toxic fraction in Rhigoma of Dioscorea bulbifera.

METHODThe rats were randomized into four groups: control group (20% PVP-water), T001(10% total methanol extraction), F002(5% chloroform fraction) and F003(5% methanol fraction). Direct bilirubin (DBil) and Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were examined, and liver index was measured. The histological and morphological observations were performed with optical and electrical microscope.

RESULTT001 and F002 showed significant liver toxicity.

CONCLUSIONThe chloroform fraction was the liver-toxic fraction of D. bulbifera.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Female ; Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Ervatamia hainanensis.

METHODThe compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and 2D-NMR.

RESULTFive compounds were identified as I (isolariciresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside), II (cycloartenol), III (beta-amyrin acetate), IV (beta-sitosterol), V (daucosterol), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Apocynaceae ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phytosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes

OBJECTIVEThe history of clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been more than 30 years. But in China, there were only a few ECMO centers with limited successful cases reported by the end of twentieth century. The high morbidities and mortalities in current pediatric ECMO practice are noted in China. Therefore, it is necessary to review the experience on rescue use of ECMO in critically ill pediatric patients.

METHODA retrospective analysis was done for patients who had been receiving ECMO treatment to rescue refractory cardiorespiratory failure from different causes in a hospital between July 2007 and May 2011.

RESULTA total of 12 patients were treated with ECMO; 7 of them were male and 5 female, they aged 6 days to 11 years, weighed 2.8 - 35 (17.21 ± 11.64) kg. The underlying causes of cardiorespiratory failure were as follows: two cases with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leading to respiratory failure, 4 with failure of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, 3 with fulminant myocarditis, 1 with right ventricular cardiomyopathy leading to repeated cardiac arrest, 1 with preoperative severe hypoxemia, and 1 with anaphylactic shock complicated with massive pulmonary hemorrhage and severe hypoxemia. Of the 12 cases, 3 were established ECMO (E-CPR) while underwent chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The mean ECMO support time was 151.75 (15 - 572) h. Seven patients (58.33%) were weaned from ECMO, 6 patients (50.00%) were successfully discharged. Six cases had bleeding from sutures, 2 cases with severe bleeding underwent thoracotomy hemostasis, 2 presented with acute renal failure. Infection was documented in 3 cases, hyperbilirubinemia in 2 cases, lower limb ischemia in 1 case, hyperglycemia in 3 cases, disseminated intravascular coagulation in 1 case, membrane lung leakage in 2 cases, systemic hemolysis in 3 cases, oxygenator failure in 2 cases and oxygenator thrombosis in one case. During the follow-up between 6 months and 4.5 years, 5 patients survived with good quality of life, without any documented central nervous system disorders. One case survived with the right lower extremity disorder from ischemic damage. His motor function has been improved following orthopedic operation at one year after discharge.

CONCLUSIONECMO is a justifiable alternative treatment for reversible severe cardiopulmonary failure in critically ill children.

Cardiac Output, Low ; etiology ; therapy ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; mortality ; therapy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; mortality ; therapy ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Thrombosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To discuss the method,mid-long term clinical therapeutic effect and safety of coil embolization in treating patients with hepatic arterial pseudoaneurysm(HAPA).Methods Seven patients with repeatedly massive hemorrhage of gastrointestinal tract were undertaken DSA of celiac arteries and hepatic arteries and embolization of the feeding artery by coils or microcoils after correct diagnosis.All cases underwent follow-up from 6 to 60 months(mean 38).Results The blood loss before angiography was ranged from 1200 to 4000(mean 2385)ml.There were 3 cases with normal hepatic function and 4 with hepatic dysfunction including ALT increase in 2 and obstructive jaundice in another.Digital substraction angiography(DSA)clearly showed the location,shape and feeding arteries of HAPA.There were 2 types of HAPA namely intrahepatic (n=3)and extrahepatic(n=4),adding one case with arteriovenous fistula(AVF).Embolization was successful in all cases by coils(n=13)or microeoils(n=12).No recurrence and any definite clinical complication occurred during follow-up.Conclusion Coil embolization in treating HAPA is safe and effective with mid-long term positive clinical therapeutic efficiency without severe complications.(J Intervent Radiol, 2007,16:803-806)

In order to explore the role of real-time PCR in detecting minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT), real-time PCR was used to quantitate the IgH rearrangement in 8 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 1 case of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia before and after APBSCT. The results showed that the copies of IgH rearrangement pre- or post-APBSCT were 3108 +/- 1043 and 549 +/- 660 (P < 0.05) respectively. The number of IgH copies was positively correlated with the amount of plasmocytes in patient 's bone marrow and the M-protein in peripheral blood (r = 0.86, P < 0.05). Similar result was obtained in a case of relapsed Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. In conclusion, the quantitative analysis of IgH rearrangement by real-time PCR is a novel way to evaluate the therapeutic efficaciousness and predict the prognoses in MM patients.
Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis whether polymorphism in estrogen-metabolizing genes, COMT and CYP17, impacts on the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women.

METHODSCOMT (Val158Met) and CYP17 (T1931C) polymorphisms were detected by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 250 breast cancer patients and 250 frequency-matched normal controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTSCOMT Met/Met genotype was found in 10.4% of breast cancer patients, which was significantly higher (P = 0.03) than that in controls (5.2%). Women with Met/Met genotype showed 2-fold increased risk for breast cancer (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 - 4.5) compared with those with Val/Val or Val/Met genotypes. Stratified analysis showed that the elevated risk of breast cancer, associating with the COMT Met/Met genotype, was evident only among premenopausal women (adjusted OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2 - 17.3) but not among postmenopausal women (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.5 - 3.5). There was no significant difference in the distribution of CYP17 genotypes between breast cancer patients and the control subjects (P = 0.83).

CONCLUSIONThe allele encoding for low activity COMT, but not CYP17, may be a genetic risk factor for breast cancer among Chinese women.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo examine the relationship between susceptibility to lung cancer among Chinese and genetic polymorphism at nucleotide -463 (G/A) in myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme found in lysosomes of phagocytes and involved in the formation of hydroxyl radicals and activation of various smoking-related carcinogens.

METHODSThe association of this polymorphism with lung cancer in a hospital-based case-control study of 314 patients and 320 age- and sex-matched controls was tested. The MPO genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP).

RESULTSThe allele frequency for MPO-463A was found to be 11.0% for controls, compared with 15.0% for patients. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk for overall lung cancer in subjects having GG genotype (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2 - 2.5), however, the elevated risk was limited to squamous cell carcinoma (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4 - 3.9; n = 177) but not to adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8 - 2.1; n = 137). In addition, the risky effect of the GG genotype on squamous cell carcinoma of the lung was evident only in the smokers and those who smoked >/= 26 pack-years (OR, 20.5; 95% CI, 5.6 - 75.3) as compared with GA and AA genotypes (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.7 - 22.5) but not in the nonsmokers or those who smoked < 26 pack-years.

CONCLUSIONOur data support the hypothesis that -463A polymorphism in the MPO gene may reduce the susceptibility to lung cancer in the Chinese.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxidase ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors